Flow apparatus for oil wells



Aug 5, 1941 c. A. RAsMussl-:vN- 2,251,421

FLOW APPARATUS FOR OIL WELLS ATTO/@lans Aug. 5, 1941. c. A. RASMUSSEN FLOW APPARATUS FOR OIL WELLS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 1.5. 1939 Patente-d Aug. 5, 1941 Chester A. Rasmussen, Long Beach, Calif., as-

signor to Rasmussen Service Company, Long Beach, Calif., a corporation of California Application. March 13, 1939, Serial No. 261,464

8 Claims.

My invention relates tothe oil well art, and is directedparticularlytoacontroliablearrangement for introducing fluid intoV the formation fluid of a wellat a relatively low level to--cause or encourage well ow to the surface. troduced' fluid is largely if not* wholly gaseous in character.

One general problem in` such aflow arrangement is to achieve a practical and economical construction for conveying the introduced fluid to the desired depth, and4 a second problem isto provide for controllingA the rate of introduction into the well fluids4 in accordance with changing. operating conditions.Y 111 practice, these two problems are closely interrelated and must. be solved together.

With reference tothe problem of conveying the gasto the desired depth, the simplest arrangement, as taught. by theprior. art, is to extend a pipe line into the well; tubing from the source of compressed gas tofform two fluid channels, one channel being dened by the pipe itself and the other channel being provided; by' the space between the exterior of the pipe andthe surround'- ingwvell tubing. One of the twochannels is employed toy convey the gas under. pressure down-- Wardly into the. wel-l fluid and they intermixed fluidsV are carried upwardly to the surface of the wellthrough the other channel.v The disadvantages of such an arrangement are, first, the cost.

of sufficient pipe tov extend the entire distance from the surface of; the well to the required depth; second,l the time consumed in handling,

quiredA pressureV for actuating well flo-w is found.

in the upper strataof thewell formation, anot uncommon situation, the well casing may be apertured to admitv such highpressure gas into the annular high pressure chamber above the packer, the chamber conveniently serving as a reser-` voir for the high pressuregas. Ifthe required supply of gas undery pressure' is not found in the upper well strata, it is necessary to introduce gas under `pressure, into the annular lpressure cham- Generally the in` tubing Wall.

ber from thesurface of the well, the high pressure gas being produced at distant wells or being provided by a compressor at the surface. Whether the high pressure gas originates in Well strata;

1 or is brought to the well from an external source,

the annular space above the packer not only Serves asa gasreservoi-r but also serves as a channel or passagewayY for conveying the compressed gas downwardly.

In all such arrangements heretofore employed, the lowermost level at which the gas may be introduced into the well uids is limited bythe level of the packer, since the gasV is introduced into the well iiu'ids throughI a port or ports'in the Itis not alwaysV practical and desirable however toA install such a packer ata relatively low level as required by a well having a relatively low inherent liquid level. One object of my inventionis.V to meet such a situation by employing the annular pressure chamberas p'assage means to convey the gas toa substantial depth and then toprovide further passagelrneans within the well tubing to convey the compressed gas to any further depth desired, an outstanding feature of such an arrangement beingthat the point at which the gas is actually released into contact with the'well.- fluids is notlimited in Well depth by the position of the packer defining the lower end of the pressure: chamber.

In a well installation providing the annular" pressure chamber as means to convey the gas to a substantial depth, the problem of controlling the rate at whichthe compressed gasv isfintroduced into the wellA fluid presents certain dini--Y must be employedbeca-use the gasstream is not subject to; control until itl passes from the-annular pressure chamber. Inthesecond place, what ever Ysubterranean valve isiempl'oy'e'dr must" be subaject to accurateadjustment from the top of the well as operating` conditions change. One object of my invention in'. this-:regardfl is tao-provide a subterraneanv valve subject to' accurate remotesubterranean valve operation are:v described andLV claimed inf my copending application Serial No. 208,106, iiled May 16, 1938, entitled'` Producing In the rst place, asubterranean valveV apparatus for oil wells. In this aspect my invention is characterized by the conception of a subterranean v-alve movable through a range of open positions for various rates cf now, the valve being adapted to maintain any of a number of open positions to which it may be moved land being adapted for such movement in response to means lowered into the well. In the preferred form of my invention a valve-operating means lowered into the well engages the valve in one manner to cause valve movement in one direction and an alternative valve-operating means is adapted to be lowered into the well to engage the valve member in a second manner to move the valve in the opposite direction.

One of the important objects of my invention in the preferred forms is to provide an arrangement whereby accurate valve adjustment may be had regardless of the depth at which the valve may be located. A feature of the invention is the conception or a valve-operating means that may be accurately set or adjusted at the surface of the well for an accurately predetermined valve actuating efect to be accomplished when the tool is lowered into the Well.

Thefabove and other objects oi my invention will be apparent 4from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic representation, partly in section, of an oil well incorporating one form of my invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section through the valve assembly of Fig. 1;

Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6 are transverse sections taken respectively along the lines 3 3, 4 6, 5 5, and 6 6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged vertical section of a portion Yof the valve assembly showing a valve-lifting tool in engagement with a valve member;

Fig. 8 is a similar view of the tool being withdrawn from the valve assembly;

Fig. 9 shows in side elevation essential portions of a modified form of my invention, the view being partly in section;

Fig. l0 is a somewhat enlarged axial section through the valve assembly of Fig. 7;

Figs. 11 and 12 are transverse sections taken respectively along the lines H ll and l2-l2 of Fig. 10; and

rFig. 13 is an enlarged section of a part shown in Fig. 9.

Fig, 1 shows a casing 23 in an oil well bore extending downwardly to a production zone 2l, the casing being perforated in the usual manner `to admit well fluids. Well uid entering the lower end of the casing is conducted upward through the usual string of tubing 22 through a casing head fitting 23 to an external nipple 2li andv thence is discharged into a lateral pipe 25.

A packer 21 around the tubing string 22 seals *the annular spaceV between the tubing string and the surrounding casing, thereby forming an annular pressure |chamber, 28 extending upwardly to the casing head tting 23. If gaseous iiuid of the requisite pressure for boosting flow upwardly through the tubing string is available in well formations within the vertical range of the pressure chamber 28, the casing 23 will be suitably apertured to permit such gas to enter directly into Vthe pressure chamber. If, however, the gas must be derived from an outside source, a suitable supply pipe 29 controlled by a valve 3i! will be connected with the pressure chamber at the top of 'the well.

If the inherent liquid level, i. e., the level to which liquids from the production zone 2l tend to rise, is at the well depth indicated by the dottend line 32, Fig. 1 will represent a common situation in which maximum eliciency in the employment of gas from the pressure chamber 2S to actuate well flow requires, rst, that passage means be provided for conducting gas from the pressure chamber to a point below the level 32, and, second, that adjustable means be provided for accurately controlling the rate o1" gas delivery through such passage. In the present invention it is contemplated that a tubular member or pipe 33 in the tubing string 22 will extend downwardly below the level 32 to provide the required passage and it is further contemplated that the valve assembly generally designated 35 will be incorporated in the tubing string for controlling the rate of gas ow through such passage.

The valve assembly 35 may include, as best shown in Fig. 2, a :connecting sleeve 36 at the lower end of the assembly, a lower section 3l of special tubing and an upper section 38 of special tubing, these three members being threaded together as a unitary portion of the tubing string. The connecting sleeve 36, in addition to connecting the lower section 3l into the tubing string, supports the previously mentioned pipe 33 that extends from the valve assembly downwardly through the tubing string. In the preferred form of my invention a support bushing 4l) has an annular flange il resting on the top circular edge of the connecting sleeve 33 and is provided with internal lthreads for engagement with the line of pipe 33 and internal threads to receive and support a standpipe d2 within the valve assembly, the standpipe being in effect a continuation of the pipe line 33. It will be noted that the pipe 33 forms an inner passage 53 and defines with the surrounding tubing 22 an outer passage M., To make the outer passage continuous through the [connecting sleeve 355 and the support bushing 40, the bushing proper is smaller than the surrounding sleeve to provide ample clearance space IE5, as shown, and the fiange 4l of the bushing is provided with a plurality of longitudinal bores 46, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 6, communicating both with the clearance space 45 and with the annular space 47 between the standpipe 42 and the lower section 3l'.

'Ihe lower tubing section 3'! of the two tubing sections in the valve assembly 35 is provided with a plurality of peripheral ports 50 communicating with the surrounding pressure chamber 28. By preference, the ports 50 are all on the same level and all communicate with an inner annular recess 5l in the lower section 3l. Slidingly mounted in the valve assembly 35 is a valve-sleeve 53 that nts snugly against both the standpipe 42 and the surrounding wall of the tubing section 3T thereby effectively sealing the upper end of the annular passage 44. The valvesleeve 53 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced ports 54 :dimensioned to permit various rates of flow when registered with the annular recess 5I. It will be noted that the major portion of the standpipe 42 is slightly reduced in diameter to provide an annular clearance space 55 so that gas from the pressure chamber 28 passing through the ports 50 and 54 may continue downwardly inside the valvesleeve into the annular passage 44 surrounding the pipe line 33.

-It is contemplated that the valve sleeve 53 will be movable to various positions for Various rates of flow by valve-manipulating means lowered into the well and that the valve-sleeve will be adapted tomaintain various positions to whichV it may be adjusted by such means. For the purpose of releasably or yieldingly holding the valvesleeve at selected positions, Various expedients may be employed. For example, in the preferred form of my invention I provide a yielding latch arrangement. The drawingsshow a latch means 56 of circular connguration comprising a plurality of fleni-ble latch iingers T integral with a flanged ring 58;, the flanged ring being retained between the top end of the tubing section 31 and an annular shoulder 5.5 on theinner wall of the upper tubing section 38. Preferably, the valve-sleeve 53 is provided with a series of annular recesses or grooves El@ for engagement by the latch fingers 51, the ends of the latch ngers being shaped complementary to the grooves. In such an arrangement the grooves, of course, are spaced in accordance with the spacing between the sleeve ports 5ft so that whenever the latch fingers 51 engage a groove, a corresponding set of sleeve ports 54 will register with the annular recess 5l in the valve assembly.

The means for moving the valve-sleeve 53 downwardly is generally designated 62 in the drawings. It may comprise an elongated weight 63 that is lowered into the tubing string by means of a suitable cable Erl, the Weight having a head 65 at its lower end for abutment against the upper end of the valve-sleeve 53. The weight 63 may be of such mass that it is necessary merely to lower the weight against the upper end of the valve-sleeve 53. toA cause the valve-sleeve to shift downwardly asrequired, or a lighter weight may be used to depress the valve-sleeve by impact rather than by sheer weight.

Preferably the arrangement is such that this valve-operating tool is adjustable at the surface of the well to actuate the valve-sleeve 53 to .a predetermined extent. To provide for such action the tubing section 38 is formed with an inwardly directed annular shoulder that is larger in inner diameter than the inner diameter of the valve-sleeve 53, but is smaller in inner diameter than the outer diameter of the valve-sleeve. The periphery of the weight E3 is threaded to receive an adjustable stop-collar 5.1 complementary to the stop shoulder 65, the adjustment of the collar longitudinally on the weight determining the maximum extent to which the movable Valvesleeve is depressed by the lowered weight.

It will :be noted that the weight is formed with an axial passage 68 and radial passages 65 to provide a fluid course therethrough. Such a fluidv course facilitates movement of the tool through fluid in the tubing string and makes it possible to suspend the tool in the tubing when not in use. Preferably the cable Gli extends through a suitable packing gland 'lll `at the top of the nipple 24 so that the tool may be manipulated while relatively high pressure conditions prevail within the tubing string.

Movement of the Valve-sleeve upwardly is likewise accomplished by a tool lowered in the well. For example, I may employ a grappling tool generally designated "l5 shown in Figs. 7, 8, and 1G. The valve-sleeve 53 may be readily adapted for cooperation with such a tool simply by providing an annular channel l in its inner Wall.

The body Sl of the grappling tool is of tubular construction, being open at its lower end and having a series of radial apertures 82 so that fluid may passv through the tool when it is being lowered through the fluid column in the tubingY string. The upper end of the body 8l may be screw-threadedly connected to a jar shownin .'Eig. 9 that includes a rod lhaving an anvil head 34. A cylindrical hammer 35 surrounding the'rod 83. has an inwardly extending annular shoulder disposed to engage the anvil head 84 from vbe-` low for supporting the tool body lll. This cylindrical hammer 35 may be supported by a cable-or heavy piano wireV 87, by means of which, after the tool is lowered into position, the hammer may be manipulated for repeated impact against the anvil head Sli in a manner well understood in the art.

Towards its upper end the tool body 8l carriesI a fixed collar 33. spaced below this fixedcollar is a second sliding collar 90, the tool body being enlarged to provide a shoulder 5i against which this latter collar is normally urged by a helical spring 92 that embraces the tool body in compression between the two collars. Y Slidinglyv embracing the tool body 8l below the sliding collar 90 is a grappling sleeve 95 having integral therewith a t, sleeve 53, and the ngers 9S are dimensioned to place the enlargements 91 in registry with the engagement channel 80, as may be understood by reference to Fig. 7.

The grappling sleeve 95 is supported by a collar la@ that is fixed with respect to the tool body Si by a suitable pin lill. In one practice of my invention, this pin is o'f frangiblematerial so that the -pin may be severed tol free the collar l, the collar being thereby permitted to drop against an annular shoulder m2 provided by an enlargement m3 in the tool body. To permit insertion of the pin 15|, diametrically disposed apertures itil are provided in the grappling sleeve 95, and to permit subsequent removal of the severed parts of the pin., the upper end of the grappling sleeve may be cut away at diametrically opposite points, as indicated at |05. When the pin lill holds the collar llil at its elevated position, the grappling sleeve 95 is at a position placing the nger enlargements 91 opposite a tapered circumferential rib l formed in the tool body Si, this rib serving to expand the circular series of finger enlargements into an outside diameter greater than the inside diameter of the sliding valve-sleeve 57i, so that the finger enlargements may engage the engagement channel of the valve-sleeve in a positive manner, as shown in Fig. 7.

If, in the course of operating a well, it is desirable to shift the inner valve-sleeve upward, the grappling tool 15 is lowered into the well, the tool being guided past all obstructions in the tubing string by a conical nose lill. When the grappling tool encounters the valve-sleeve 53, it is Yforced into the sleeve either by sheer weight of the tool or by impacts of the hammer arrangement described. Since the circular series of finger enlargements 51 is expanded by the rib |06 into greater external diameter than the internal diameter of the sliding valve-sleeve, the forcing of the tool body 8l into the Valve-sleeve causes the finger enlargements to be dislodged upward, which dislodgement causes the grappling ring to move against the sliding collar S5 and further to compress the spring S2. The linger enlargements 91 are so dimensioned with respect to the diameter of the tool body that when they are dislodged upward from the periphery of the expanding rib |56, the fingers may enter the sliding valve-sleeve. It is apparent that the spring 92 will continuously tend to restore the finger enlargements to their normal positions on the periphery of the expanding rib |65 so that as soon as the finger enlargements reach the engagement channel B of the valve-sleeve, the spring 32 causes relative movement between the grappling sleeve 5%5 and the tool body Si, restoring the finger enlargements to their normal positions thereby bringing the grappling tool into positive engagement with the valve-sleeve, as indicated in Fig. 7.

Once the grappling tool is properly seated, the cable may be spooled in to withdraw the tool. The upward movement of the grappling tool carries the sliding valve-sleeve 53 to its uppermost position which may be the closed position of the valve, at which point the sliding Valve-sleeve of Fig. 7 abuts the shoulder B5 whereupon jarring the tool severs the pin IUI. Severance of the pin permits the grappling sleeve to drop, thereby shifting the ringer enlargements 9i downward to a position of restricted outside diameter as shown in Fig. 8. This downward movement of the finger enlargements permits the grappling tool to retract in effective diameter for escape from the valve-sleeve.

It is apparent from the foregoing description that the annular shoulder 36 formed in the tubing string serves the dual purpose of a tool-stop to cooperate with the valve-operating tool 62 and of a stop for the valve-sleeve to cause disengagement of the grappling tool 8|.

The operation of my invention may be readily understood by those skilled in the art. The requisite gas pressure is maintained in the chamber 28 either because of communication with an adjacent gas-producing stratum or because oi gas under pressure introduced into the chamber through the external pipe 29. In normal operation gas from the pressure chamber 28 is conducted to a relatively low level of the well a substantial distance below the packer 21, the downward movement of the gas being through the annular passage 44 surrounding the inner tubular member or pipe 33. The gas stream passes into the lower end of the pipe 33 and moves upwardly through the pipe 33 commingled with the liquids from the production zone 2|. Gas under suitable pressure introduced into a well in this manner will cause the formation uids to be lifted to the surface of the well, the upwardly owing fluid stream traversing the inner pipe 33 to the valve assembly and from the valve assembly moving upwardly through the tubing string to the delivery pipe 25 at the top of the well. In the usual practice of my invention the valve-operating tool 62 will normally be suspended in the tubing string 22 above the valve assembly, as indicated in Fig. 1, and it will be found desirable to use the tool to increase the rate of gas introduced into the well iiuids from time-to-time. In the preferred form of my invention shown in the drawings the successive valve apertures 54 in the valve-sleeve 53 that are brought into operation by progressive downward movement of the valve-sleeve are of progressively greater flow capacity. The usual adjustment of the valve-sleeve, then, will be downwardly, and such adjustment may be readily accomplished by lowering the tool B2 against the valve-sleeve from time-to-time, the stop-collar 31 on the tool being retracted to its uppermost position or entirely removed from the tool. In such practice, however, considerable skill is required to keep from shifting the Valve-sleeve downwardly too far. Uncertainty is eliminated from the valve-adjusting operation, however, by operating the tool only in cooperation with the stop-shoulder 63 in the valve assembly. Since the adjustment of the stop-collar El longitudinally of the weight 63 determines in a positive manner the extent of the tool movement against the valve-sleeve, regardless of the depth at which the tool is operated, the operator may readily ascertain the required position of the collar 67 on the tool to bring a given set of sleeve ports 54 into operative position, the operator being guided by reference marks on the tool, or, if necessary, being guided by knowledge of the dimensions and space relations in the Valve assembly.

In the course of well operation with my invention, it may be desirable at times to shift the valve-sleeve upwardly to restrict or entirely preclude the introduction of gas into the well fluid. Such upward movement is accomplished, as heretofore described, by employing the grappling tool 75. In the construction shown, the employment of the grappling tool always leaves the valve-sleeve in its uppermost position entirely cutting olf gas flow so that when it is desired merely to reduce flow of gas it is necessary first to use the grappling tool 15 and then to lower the valve-operating tool 62 into the well with the collar 67 adjusted to bring the suspended valve-sleeve ports 54 into operation.

An alternative form of my invention, the construction of which is indicated in Figs. 9 to 13, diifers from the iirst form in that the valve assembly 25a is below the level of the packer 21a and in that the downward movement of the gas from the pressure chamber 28a is through a tubular member or pipe 33a, instead of through the annular passage Ma surrounding that pipe. In other respects, however, the construction is largely the same and corresponding numbers are employed to designate corresponding parts.

The valve assembly 25a is incorporated in the tubing string 22 in a manner similar to that heretolore described, but the valve assembly is surrounded by a cylinder ||0 extending from a point below the valve assembly to a point above the packer Zia. The packer is mounted on this cylinder and forms a seal between the cylinder and the casing 2li, the lower end of the pressure chamber 28a being deiined by the packer. The lower end of the cylinder is sealed off by a suitable collar that is welded or otherwise afiiXed to the outside of the tubing 22. The upper end of the cylinder H0 is shown threaded into a bushing H2 that embraces the tubing 22, the bushing having apertures ||3 that provide communication between the pressure chamber 28a and the annular space i4 surrounding the valve assembly. It is apparent that by virtue of this construction the valve assembly may be placed at any depth in the well below the packer 21a by merely extending the cylinder I I0 downwardly as required.

As best shown in Fig. 10, the valve assembly 5a includes a lower cylindrical coupling |20, a lower tubing section |2|, and an upper tubing section |22. Mounted in the lower end of the valve assembly 25a is a tubular member |23 corresponding to the standpipe 43 of the first 'described construction, the lower kendoi which `has a radial ilange |24 that is held against the coupling L20 by xa suitable `annular shoulder v|25 projecting inwardly from the tubing section |2|. The lower fend of the tubular member |23 is 4formed to 'provide a spider integral therewith `having radial legs |128 as may be understood. by .reference to Eigs. l0' and 12. Radial bores |29 through the spider legs |28 provide fluid communication between an annular space |35 surrounding the tubular member 123 and a central bore |3| iin the spider. The bore |3| is threaded torreceive the upper end of the pipe 33a.

'I'he lower tubing section |2| of the valve assembly `is provided with radial ports |33 and a corresponding inner annular recess |34 as heretofore described, sothat `gas passing from the 'pressure chamber A23d into the annular space H4 -may pass from the annular space into the interior of the valve assembly. To control the rate at which gas enters the valve assembly in this manner, I provide a slidable valve-sleeve |35 corresponding to the first described valvesleeve` 53.

' The upper portion of the valve-sleeve |35 is of a diameter to fit snugly with the surrounding tubing section |2i, while the lower portion I3@ of the valve-'sleeve is of somewhat reduced diameter to nt snugly `into the tubular member |23.

By `this arrangement the valve member seals olf the upper end of the annular space `|30 surrounding the tubular member |23. For the purpose of admitting gas to the annular space |38 from the Apressure chamber .28a at various rates of flow, the valve-sleeve |35 is provided with a plurality of `longitudinal bores |31 opening toward ythe annular space i3!) and various radial bores or apertures |38 spaced longitudinally along the wall of the valve sleeve in communication with the longitudinal bores 31. Preferably `the construction is such that when the Valve-sleeve |35 is at its uppermost position against the shoulder 55, gas flow into the valve assembly is entirely cut on, andwhen the valve sleeve is moved `downwardly from its uppermost position, ports of successively large flow capacity are brought successively into eifective position. The upper end of the valve-sleeve |35 preferably has the same construction as heretofore described, and is provided with peripheral grooves E!! for Icooperation with the previously described latch means 56. It will be noted that the valvesleeve is also provided with the annular channel di! for cooperation with the previously described grappling tool 15.

This second form of my invention is manipulated and controlled from the surface of the well by tools lowered into the well from the surface, as previously described. When one or more of the ports |36 of the valve-sleeve |35 registers with the annular recess |34 to receive gas from the ports 533, the gas passes downwardly through the longitudinal bores itil of the valve-sleeve and enters the annular space |33. From the annular space |30 the gas passes through the bores |29 and i3! into the downwardly extending pipe 33a.. The pipe 33a extends to a point below the inherent liquid level of the well so that the gas released therefrom causes well fluids to stream upwardly through the annular channel |39 surrounding the pipe 33a. The upwardly flowing stream of well uid passes around the legs |28 of the previously mentioned spider and then through the valve-sleeveV |36 into the tubing string labove the valve assembly. `llreferably the ,gas issuing fromthe lower 'end of the pipe 33a :is directed upwardly into the surrounding column of well liquids to .favor the upward flow thereof. 4JFor this purpose I .may provide the lower end of the pipe 33a` with a nozzle fitting It!) shown in 'Figs y9 and 13. This particular fitting has an axial passage lill receiving gas from the pipe 33a and lhas a plurality of divergent upwardly 4directed discharge passages |42.

`I have shown and described preferred embodiments of my invention in specific detail for the purpose of disclosure, andto illustrate the principl'es involved. `It will be apparent to those `skilled `in the art that various changes and modilications may be made without departing from the spirit -of my invention, and I reserve the right to `all such changes and modifications that properly come within the scope of my appended claims.

I vcl-ai'm as my invention:

1. I n an oil well including a bore hole [with a casing,4 the combination of: a string of tubing within the casing; a packer in the annular space between said tubing and casing sealing ofi an upper'annular chamber for fluid under pressure; walls forming a iiuid passage leading, from said pressure chamber to the interior of said string of tubing at 'a relatively deep level a substantial distance below the packer; and valve means in the well movable through a plurality of open positions to `permit various rates of fluid flow into the tubing through said passage.

2. In an oil well including a bore hole with a casing, the combination of: a string of tubing within the casing; a packer'in .the annular space between said tubing and casing sealing Toff an upper annular chamber for iiuid under pressure; walls forming a fluid passage leading from said pressure chamber to the interior Aof said string of tubing at a relatively deep level a substantial distance below the packer; valve-operating means adapted to be lowered from the top of the [well through said string of tubing; and valve means in the well movable through a plurality of open positions to Vpermit variousv rates of uid flow into the tubing through said passage, said valve means being adapted for movement from one of its open positions to another in response to lowering of said valve-operating means against the valve means.

3. In an oil well including a bore hole with a casing, the combination of: a string of tubing within the casing; a packer in the annular space between said tubing and casing sealing off an upper annular chamber for fluid under pressure; walls forming a uid passage leading from said pressure chamber to the interior of said string of tubing at a relatively deep level a substantial distance below the packer; valve means in the well movable through a plurality of open positions to rpermit various rates of fluid flow into the tubing through said passage, said valve means being adapted to maintain open positions to which it may be moved; means adapted to be lowered into said string of tubing from the top of the well into contact (with the valve means to move the valve means from one position to another; and stop means in the well adapted to cooperate with said lowered means to limit the effect of the lowered means upon the valve means.

4. In an oil well including a bore hole with a casing, the combination of: a string of tubing within the casing; a packer in the annular space between said tubing and casing sealing oi an upper annular chamber for iiuid under pressure; walls forming a fluid passage leading from said pressure chamber to the interior of said string of tubing at a relatively deep level a substantial distance below the packer; valve means in the well movable through a plurality of open positions to permit various rates of iiuid iiow into the tubing through said passage, said valve means being adapted to maintain open positions to which it may be moved; stop means in the fwell; and means adapted to be lowered into said string of tubing from the top of the well into contact with the Valve means to move the valve means from one position to another, said valve-moving means being adapted to Contact said stop to limit movement of the valve means and being adjustable with respect to its contact with the stop.

5. In an oil well including a bore hole with a casing, the combination of z a string of tubing within the casing; a packer in the annular space between said tubing and casing sealing off an upper annular chamber for fluid under pressure, said string of tubing having an aperture to receive fluid from said pressure chamber; tubular means within said tubing extending to a relatively deep level, said tubular means providing within itself and in combination with the surrounding string of tubing two (well passages to said deep level, one of which passages provides a channel from said tubing aperture to said deep level, the other of which passages provides a channel for well flow to the surface; and valve means in said string of tubing movable through a plurality of open positions to permit various rates of iiuid flow from said aperture to said deep level.

6. In an oil well including a bore hole with a casing, the combination of: a string of tubing within the casing; a packer in the annular space between said tubing and casing sealing 01T an upper annular chamber for fluid under pressure, said string of tubing having an aperture to receive fluid from said pressure chamber; tubular means within said tubing extending to a relatively deep level, said tubular means providing within itself and in combination with the surrounding string of tubing two rwell passages to said deep level, one of which passages provides a channel from said tubing aperture to said deep level, the other of which passages provides a channel for well ilow to the surface; valve-operating means adapted to be lowered from the top of the well through said string of tubing; and valve means in said string of tubing movable through a plurality of open positions to permit various rates of fluid flow from said aperature to said deep level, said valve means being adapted for movement from one of its open positions to another in response to lowering of said valve-operating means into contact therewith.

' 7. In an oil well including a bore hole with a casing, the combination of a string of tubing within the casing; a packer in the annular space between said tubing and casing sealing 01T an upper annular chamber for fluid under pressure, said string of tubing having an aperture to receive fluid from said pressure chamber; tubular means :within said tubing extending to a relatively deep level, said tubular means providing within itself and in combination with the surrounding string of tubing two well passages to said deep level, one of which passages provides a channel from said tubing aperture to said deep level, the other of which passages provides a channel for well flow to the surface; valve-operating means adapted to be lowered from the top of the well through said string of tubing; and a tubular valve means in said tubing string at said aperture movable up and down through a plurality of positions to permit various rates of fluid flow through the aperture, said valve means being adapted to be moved by the lowering of said valve-operating means thereagainst.

8. In an oil well including a bore hole (with a casing, the combination of a string of tubing within the casing; a packer in the annular space between said tubing and casing sealing olf an upper annular chamber for iiuid under pressure said string of tubing having an aperture to receive iluid from said pressure chamber; tubular means within said tubing extending downward from above said aperture Vto a relatively deep level a substantial distance below said packer, said tubular means providing within itself and in combination with the surrounding string of tubing two well passages to said deep level, one of which passages provides a channel from said tubing aperture to said deep level, the other of which passages provides a channel for well flow to the surface; valve-operating means adapted to be lowered from the top of the well through said string of tubing; and an axially movable annular valve member sealing the upper end of the annular space between said tubing means and string of tubing, said valve means being cooperative with said aperture to control fluid flow therethrough, said valve means having a portion thereof exposed to the interior of the tubing string and adapted to be moved by said valveoperating means.

CHESTER A. RASMUSSEN. 

